03 January 2016 10:53

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores believes Manchester City are the favourites to win the Premier League title.

The Spaniard's team were ahead against City until fine late finishes from Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero secured a 2-1 victory that kept the Blues in third place in the league and within three points of leaders Arsenal.

It was a slow start again from Manuel Pellegrini's men but the quality they ultimately showed to complete a comeback left Sanchez Flores in no doubt that the title is City's to lose this season.

Asked if City were the favourites to win it, Sanchez Flores said: "Yes. I thought so in the first leg (half of the season). I keep thinking the same.

"(David) Silva and Aguero (are the best players I've managed). I managed a lot of good players, but Silva and Aguero were slightly different. They were a little bit different.

"During the season Aguero was at a high level, then he was injured for a short period. It was enough to have some doubts, maybe. But in the future, Aguero (has been) a completely different player. He is one of the best players in the world.

"(But) we have plenty of reasons to be positive. We have 29 points, we are in the top half of the league, we are competitive and have always had the opportunity to win, including against the big teams. We have a lot reasons to be happy."

The result ended City's run of six away Premier League fixtures without a win, but Pellegrini, who also said his team deserved to win at Watford, insisted he was unconcerned about that run.

"We were not worried," he said. "It's not normal not to win for six games but we were playing well.

"Against Arsenal and against Leicester we played a good game. So I think it was important to keep the trust in the players and I think we did well here.

"We beat a very difficult team who are playing well. But I think we deserved the three points as we had the ball more, more attacks and had more shots on target."

City went behind when Ben Watson's corner flicked off the head of full-back Aleksandar Kolarov and into the net. They drew level in the 82nd minute when Toure volleyed in a Kolarov corner to the near post and led two minutes later when Aguero stretched to head a Bacary Sagna cross past Heurelho Gomes.

"We were very unlucky to be losing as it wasn't a corner and then came the own goal," Pellegrini said.

"But I think the most important thing of the team was the character we showed. We were convinced with the way we played.

"(Aguero) has improved also a lot in his whole performance if you compare with his last game. I think we know Kun needs three or four games to return to his top performance and for him the goal was important and hopefully he can go on.

"I'm (also) not surprised how (Quique Sanchez Flores) is doing. I've played against him many times against different teams. He is showing what a good manager he is."